Browns hit with injury news they didn’t want to hear for Thursday Night Football vs Steelers
Injury designations are here for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
Thursday Night Football carries first-place implications for the Cleveland Browns this week as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a primetime AFC North showdown. Both teams enter at 2-1 on the season, and the Browns’ injury report heading into Thursday is a mixed bag that could shape the outcome of Cleveland’s lone primetime game on the 2026 NFL schedule.
Tyson Campbell returns for Browns defense
The good news for Cleveland is that cornerback Tyson Campbell is set to return after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Campbell’s return opposite Denzel Ward gives the Browns a close-to-full-strength defense for a matchup against a Steelers team that features proven wide receivers on the outside in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman.
A healthy secondary is a welcome development for a Browns team riding back-to-back wins over the Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. Cleveland is trying to move to 3-1 on the season, and no one would have predicted that coming into the year.
Elgton Jenkins ruled out with concussion
The not-so-great news is that center Elgton Jenkins will not suit up against the Steelers. Jenkins is in concussion protocol and will be unable to play Thursday.
That is a concern because Pittsburgh boasts longtime standout defensive tackle Cameron Heyward in the middle of its defense. On a short week of preparation, the Browns are now going to have to start Luke Wypler at center, and that is not ideal heading into this kind of game where you would like to have a fully healthy offensive line.
Wypler is in his fourth season with the Browns and made five starts last season when he had to step in for Ethan Pocic. The 6-foot-3, 303-pound center is a capable player, but it is a clear drop-off from Jenkins, who has played well this year. Pittsburgh will likely try to take advantage of the lineup change up front.
Cleveland’s defense getting Campbell back is a significant boost for a unit that will need to contain Pittsburgh’s passing attack. Still, losing Jenkins on the interior offensive line on a short week is the kind of development that could tilt a tight divisional game.
It’s next man up early in the season for the Browns. How well Wypler performs against the Steelers is going to have an impact on determining whether Cleveland grabs sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
